JP2000089060A - Optical connector with housing body and jig used therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the constitution of an optical connector by ferrule joining to make simply joinable and to miniaturize the size, to facilitate exchange of a broken part when a part of the optical connector is broken and to facilitate loading/unloading of the optical connector of an inserting side. SOLUTION: The optical connector has a housing body 1 and a first ferrule 5. The housing body 1 is constituted of a main body part 2 and a top end part 3 which are joined by a separable joining means (pawl parts 2b and 3c) and the housing body 1 has interior spaces 2a, 3a which are successively provided across the main body part 2 and the top end part 3. The first ferrule 5 is housed in the interior space 2a on the main body part 2 side of the housing body 1 and has a vacant part of the interior spaces 2a, 3a capable of housing a second ferrule at the top end side of the first ferrule 5. At the top end of the top end part 3 of the housing body 1, a locking part 3b having elasticity capable of engaging the second ferrule at the time of housing the second ferrule and an inclined part 3d for releasing engagement provided successively to the locking part 3b are installed in the vacant part of the interior space.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical connector with a housing which can be easily joined to an optical connector to be joined without separately preparing an adapter or the like, and a jig for attaching and detaching the optical connector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a wiring module, a branch module and the like are accommodated in a frame, a number of optical connectors are arranged and fixed on a panel surface of the frame, and an optical fiber ribbon with an optical connector is wired inside the frame and on the front side of the panel. It is necessary to enable connection with an optical connector with the optical connector. As an optical connector corresponding to this requirement, there is an F13 type multi-core optical connector specified in JIC C2982. This is the so-called MPO (Multi
This is called an “push push on” connector, in which two plugs are connected to each other via an adapter.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of an MPO connector, wherein 41a and 41b are ferrules, 42a is an optical fiber, 43 is a guide pin, 44a and 44b are a housing, 45a and 45b are optical tape cores, 46 Is the adapter,
47a is a locking claw, 47b is a claw receiver, 48 is an M-type plug,
49 is an F-type plug.

The M-type plug 48 has a housing 44a provided outside a ferrule 41a having an optical fiber insertion hole and a guide pin hole, and can be inserted into the adapter 46 from one of the holes of the adapter 46. When the M-type plug 48 is inserted into the adapter 46, the locking claw 47a provided on the adapter 46 is engaged with and locked by a claw receiver 47b provided on the housing 44a. The guide pin 43 is inserted into the guide pin hole of the ferrule 41a of the M-type plug 48, and a part thereof protrudes.

The F-type plug 49 has a housing 44b provided outside a ferrule 41b having an optical fiber insertion hole and a guide pin hole.
Can be inserted into the adapter 46 from one of the holes. Even when the F-type plug 49 is inserted into the adapter 46, the locking claw 47a provided on the adapter 46 is engaged with a claw receiver (not shown) provided on the housing 44b and locked similarly to the M-type plug. The guide pin hole of the ferrule 41b of the F-type plug 49 remains empty.

In using this MPO connector, an optical tape is attached to an M-type plug and an F-type plug. The optical fiber ribbons 45a and 45b respectively remove the coating of the terminal to expose the optical fiber, and insert the optical fiber through the optical fiber insertion hole from behind the ferrule 41a or 41b so that the distal end surface of the optical fiber coincides with the distal end surface of the ferrule. The optical fiber is inserted and fixed with an adhesive or the like.

A ferrule 41a shown in FIG. 13 is formed by connecting an optical fiber 42a of an optical fiber ribbon 45a to a ferrule 41a.
2 shows a state where the optical fiber is inserted and fixed in the optical fiber insertion hole. After the optical fiber is inserted and fixed, the distal end surface of the optical fiber and the distal end surface of the ferrule are polished as necessary. And
The ferrules 41a, 41b are connected to the housings 44a, 44b.
To accommodate each.

Then, by inserting the M-type plug 48 and the F-type plug 49 from both sides of the adapter 46, the projecting portion of the guide pin 43 on the M-type plug 48 side becomes the guide pin hole of the ferrule 41 b on the F-type plug 49 side. And the optical coupling is performed with the two ferrule tip surfaces facing each other and the optical fiber tip surfaces. Also, M-type plug 4
8 and the F-type plug 49 and the adapter 46
a and the catch 47b.

[0009]

In the case of the MPO connector shown in FIG. 13, the ferrule is housed in a housing to form an M-type plug or an F-type plug, and two types of plugs are inserted into the adapter from both sides and connected. In addition, the number of parts is large and the price is high. Further, since the housing and the adapter are arranged in a double manner on the ferrule, the overall shape becomes large, and there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the mounting density on the panel.

Therefore, an optical connector with a housing shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 is being developed. FIG. 14A is a developed plan view of the components of the optical connector with a housing, FIG. 14B is a developed side view of the components of the optical connector with a housing, and FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows the example of connection. In FIGS. 14 and 15,
50 is a housing, 50a is a locking claw, 51 is a first ferrule, 52 is a guide pin, 53 is a guide pin holding member,
4 is a pressing spring, 55 is a spring retainer, 56 is an optical connector with a housing, 57 is an optical fiber ribbon, 58 is a second ferrule,
Reference numeral 59 denotes an optical fiber ribbon on the connection partner side.

The optical connector with housing 56 includes a housing 50 made of a molded body such as a plastic resin, a first ferrule 51 housed therein, and two optical connectors inserted into guide pin holes of the first ferrule 51. , A guide pin holding member 53 for holding the guide pin 52 so as not to come off from the rear through the guide pin hole penetrated by the first ferrule, and pressing the first ferrule 51 and the guide pin holding member 53 from the rear. Pressing spring 54 and spring retainer 5
5

The optical connector 56 with a housing is
It is used by attaching to the optical fiber ribbon 57. Optical fiber ribbon 5
7, the optical fiber is exposed at the end of the optical fiber ribbon 57, the exposed optical fiber is inserted into the optical fiber insertion hole of the first ferrule 51 and fixed, and the first ferrule 51 and the optical fiber are fixed. The tip surface is polished, and the first ferrule 51 and the like are housed in the housing 50 as shown in FIG. On the other hand, also at the end of the optical tape core wire 59 to be connected, the optical fiber is exposed, the optical fiber is inserted and fixed in the optical fiber insertion hole of the second ferrule 58, and the second ferrule 58 and the distal end surface of the optical fiber. Is polished to form a mating optical connector.

When the optical connector with housing 56 is connected to the second ferrule 58 on the mating side, the first ferrule 51 in the housing 50 of the optical connector with housing 56 is connected as shown in FIG. By inserting the second ferrule 58 into the space on the distal end side, the distal end faces of the first ferrule 51 and the second ferrule 58 are brought into contact with each other while the first ferrule 51 is retracted against the pressing spring 54. At this time, the projecting end of the guide pin 52 is inserted into the guide pin hole of the second ferrule 58,
Alignment is performed.

When the second ferrule 58 is inserted, the two locking claws 50a provided at the tip of the housing 50 are
Since the second ferrule 58 is elastic, the distance between the second ferrule 58 and the second ferrule 58 is increased by inserting the second ferrule 58.
At the time when the second ferrule 58 is housed in the inner space of No. 0, the interval between the tips becomes narrow and the second ferrule 58 is locked.

When the optical connector with housing 56 is used by arranging and fixing it on a panel of a frame, a fixing claw and a stopper (not shown) are fixed to the side surface of the housing 50 and inserted into a rectangular hole provided in the panel. Or by fixing a flange (not shown) to the outer peripheral surface of the housing and screwing the flange to the panel.

The optical connector-equipped optical connector 56 fixedly arranged on the panel is connected and switched from the front side of the panel to the optical fiber ribbon with the second ferrule 58 attached thereto. Since the insertion and removal of the second ferrule 58 to and from the housing 50 are repeated, the locking claw 50a of the storage body 50 may be damaged by the repeated insertion and removal.

If the locking claw 50a of the housing 50 is damaged, it is necessary to remove the entire optical connector 56 with the housing from the panel, disassemble the optical connector with the housing, and replace the housing with a new housing. is there. At this time, the arrangement interval of the optical connectors with the housings can be removed from one of the optical connectors with the housings which are arranged and fixed to the panel so that the single optical connector with the housings whose housings are damaged can be removed. Need to be large.

In the case of the optical connector with a housing shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, since the housing 50 has both the functions of the adapter and the housing in the case of the MPO connector of FIG.
The height and width can be made smaller than those of the MPO connector of FIG. 13, and the mounting density on the panel can be increased accordingly. However, when performing the work of inserting and removing the second ferrule into and from the storage body, since the work is performed while holding the second ferrule with fingers, there is a need for a space for the fingers to be inserted between the optical connectors.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and is compact, can be mounted on a panel at a high density, and can be easily handled. Tools.

[0020]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An optical connector with a housing according to the present invention is an optical connector having a housing and a first ferrule, wherein the housing has a main body portion joined by separable joining means. A tip portion, the storage body has an internal space provided continuously over the main body portion and the tip portion, and the first ferrule is stored in the internal space on the main body portion side of the storage body. A distal end of the first ferrule has an empty portion of the internal space in which a second ferrule can be stored, and a distal end of the distal end portion of the storage body stores the second ferrule in an empty portion of the internal space. A locking portion having elasticity for locking the second ferrule when the second ferrule is engaged, and an unlocking inclined portion which is connected to the locking portion and extends toward the tip for releasing the locking portion. is there.

Further, the optical connector mounting jig of the present invention comprises:
The gripping means for gripping the second ferrule from two directions perpendicular to the axial direction thereof and having a pushing projection for abutting against the flange of the second ferrule, and the gripping direction of the gripping means for mounting and the second ferrule. Ferrule guide means for guiding the mounting gripping means and the second ferrule to an empty portion of the internal space of the housing while holding the second ferrule so as not to be displaced in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction, The present invention comprises jig guide means connected to ferrule guide means and slidable on the outer surface of the front end portion of the storage body. Used when attaching to an optical connector.

Further, the optical connector detaching jig of the present invention comprises:
Detachable gripping means for gripping the second ferrule from two directions perpendicular to its axial direction, and the second ferrule is positioned on the gripping direction of the demountable gripping means and on the second ferrule in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. A ferrule guide means for guiding the detachable gripping means to a position of a second ferrule stored in an empty portion of the internal space of the storage body while holding the storage body so as not to be displaced; and the storage body connected to the ferrule guide means. Jig guide means that slides on the outer surface of the distal end portion, and the distal end of the ferrule guide means comes into contact with an unlocking inclined portion provided at the distal end portion of the housing to release the lock. It is provided with a widening slope for widening the interval between the slopes, and is used when attaching and detaching the second ferrule inserted and coupled to the optical connector of the present invention.

The optical connector mounting / removing jig according to the present invention may include, on one end of a trunk body, a holding means for mounting the optical connector mounting jig, a ferrule guide means and a jig guide means. The other end of the trunk body has the same as the detachable gripping means of the optical connector detaching jig, the ferrule guide means and the jig guide means, and the present invention It can be used for attaching and detaching the second ferrule on the mating side to the optical connector.

[0024]

FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 show an embodiment of an optical connector with a housing according to the present invention. 1A and 1B are perspective views of each component of the optical connector with a housing. FIG. 1A shows components arranged outside, and FIG. 1B shows components arranged inside. . FIG. 2A is a plan view of each component, and FIG. 2B is a side view of each component.
FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the distal end portion of the storage body.
(A), (B), and (C) are a side view, a front view, and a plan view thereof. FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where the optical connector with a housing is assembled, FIG. 4 (A) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 4 (B).
Is a side view thereof.

1, 2, 3 and 4, 1 is a housing, 2 is a main body, 2 a is an internal space, 2 b is a claw, 2
c is a panel engagement groove, 2d is a spring holding engagement claw receiving groove, 3 is a tip portion, 3a is an internal space, 3b is a locking portion, 3c is a claw portion, 3d is a locking release inclined portion, and 3e is a groove. 4 is a spring presser, 4a is a spring press engaging claw, 5 is a first ferrule, 6 is a guide pin, 7 is a guide pin holding member, 8 is a pressing spring,
Reference numeral 9 denotes an optical fiber ribbon.

The housing 1 is formed of a molding resin or the like, and comprises a main body 2 and a tip 3 which can be separated and joined. The housing 1 has substantially rectangular parallelepiped internal spaces 2 a and 3 a provided continuously over the main body 2 and the distal end 3. The main body 2 and the distal end 3 are joined by joining means including a claw 2b and a claw 3c.
Further, the main body portion has a spring holding engagement claw receiving groove 2d near an end opposite to the claw portion 2b, and a panel engaging groove 2c on the outer peripheral side surface in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

The tip portion 3 has an internal space 3a inside.
Has two claw-shaped locking portions 3b and locking releasing inclined portions 3d at the tip. The locking portion 3b is a claw-shaped elastic body extending from two directions toward the center axis, and the locking releasing inclined portions 3d are provided continuously on both sides of the locking portion 3b and extend toward the tip. I have. The groove 3e provided in the center of the locking portion 3b in the axial direction is provided for reducing the frictional force when the second ferrule passes while pressing and expanding the locking portion 3b. , Not necessarily required, the groove 3e
There may not be.

Further, two guide pins 6 are inserted into the guide pin holes penetrated by the first ferrule 5, and the first ferrule 5 is accommodated in the internal spaces 2b and 3c of the container 1. Further, since the guide pin hole of the first ferrule 5 penetrates the first ferrule, if the protrusion of the guide pin is pushed from the front end side as it is, the guide pin 6 falls out from the penetrated guide pin hole to the rear end side. . Therefore, the guide pin 6 is pressed by the guide pin holding member 7 so that the guide pin 6 does not come out backward. Then, the pressing spring 8 and the spring retainer 4 are mounted behind the first ferrule 5 and the guide pin holding member 7. The optical connector with a housing is composed of the above 1 to 8 parts. The optical connector with a housing is used by attaching it to the end of the optical fiber ribbon 9.

In attaching the optical connector with the housing to the optical tape core wire 9, the coating is removed at the end of the optical tape core wire 9 to expose a plurality of optical fibers, and the exposed optical fibers are connected to the first ferrule. Insert the optical fiber insertion hole from the rear end side, fix the tip surface of the optical fiber and the tip surface of the first ferrule with an adhesive or the like, and polish the tip surface of the first ferrule and the tip surface of the optical fiber. . MPO
When bonding is performed without using a refractive index matching agent by elastic pressing contact as in the case of the connector, the polished surface is polished at an angle of about 8 degrees from the direction perpendicular to the optical fiber axis. When bonding is performed using a refractive index matching agent, the polished surface may be perpendicular to the fiber axis.

The first ferrule 5 to which the guide pin 6 and the optical fiber of the optical tape 9 are attached is housed in the internal space 2a, 3a of the housing 1 formed by joining the main body part 2 and the tip part 3. Then, an optical connector with a housing is assembled by inserting the guide pin holding member 7 and the pressing spring 8 from the rear direction and covering the rear of the housing 1 with the spring retainer 4. Note that the first ferrule 5 occupies almost half the position in the internal spaces 2a and 3a of the housing 1,
An empty portion of an internal space for accommodating the second ferrule is provided at the distal end side of the first ferrule 5.

Also, in this optical connector with a housing, only the tip portion 3 can be separated and disassembled even after assembly. Further, after the first ferrule 5, the guide pin holding member 7, the pressing spring 8 and the like are stored in the main body 2 and assembled, the distal end portion 3 is joined to the main body 2 to complete the storage body 1. is there.

Next, a description will be given of a method of connecting an optical tape core wire to which the optical connector with a housing of the present invention is attached, and an optical tape core wire to be connected with the optical connector. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the connection state, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same parts. 10 is an optical fiber ribbon to be connected, 11
Is a second ferrule to be a mating optical connector.
The second ferrule 11 is a ferrule of the same type as the first ferrule 5, and the second ferrule 11 is attached to the terminal of the optical tape 10 in the same manner as in the case of the first ferrule 5. The guide pin is not inserted into the guide pin hole of the second ferrule 11.

The second ferrule 11 attached to the optical fiber ribbon 10 in this manner is inserted from the distal end side of the optical connector with a housing of the present invention, and housed in the empty internal space of the housing 2. Optical coupling is achieved by abutting the tip surfaces of the one ferrule 5 and the second ferrule 11 to face each other. When the second ferrule 11 is inserted, the rear end of the second ferrule 11 is interposed and locked by the locking portion 3b provided on the front end portion 3 of the housing 1.

Further, the insertion of the second ferrule 11 causes the first ferrule 5 to slightly retreat against the pressing spring 8, and the pressing spring 8 presses between the first ferrule 5 and the second ferrule 11. The projecting portion of the guide pin 6 is inserted into the guide pin hole of the second ferrule 11,
Precise positioning of the optical fiber is performed.

In the above description based on FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the locking portion 3b provided at the front end portion 3 of the housing 1 is provided with the rear end of the second ferrule 11. Although the type in which the rear end of the second ferrule is sandwiched from the left and right directions is described, the type in which the rear end of the second ferrule is sandwiched from the left and right directions may be used. Further, although the locking portion 3b is illustrated as a claw-shaped locking member extending from two directions toward the center axis, a locking portion having a flat plate on one side and a claw shape on only one side may be locked from one direction. In this case, the number of the inclined portions for unlocking may be two instead of four as shown in the figure. Further, the locking release inclined portion may be provided at one place by being connected not to both sides of the locking portion but further to the distal end side of the locking portion.

The main body 2 and the tip 3 of the housing 1
The projections 2b and 3c are shown as an example of the joining means with the above, but one may be a projection and the other may be of a receiving groove type. Further, the positions of the claws 2b and 3c are not limited to two places on the left and right, but may be two places on the upper and lower sides, and may be one place depending on the case.

Although the guide pin holes of the first ferrule 5 and the second ferrule 11 are shown as holes penetrating in the longitudinal direction of the ferrule, holes are provided only near the distal end surface of the ferrule. Non-through-hole type ferrules can also be used. In that case, since the guide pin does not come off behind the ferrule, the guide pin holding member 7 is unnecessary. In some cases, a single-core ferrule in which positioning is performed by an outer cylinder without using a guide pin can also be used as the optical connector with a housing of the present invention.

Next, a method of fixing the optical connector with a housing of the present invention attached to the end of the optical tape core wire 9 to the panel of the housing will be described. FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the fixing method, and the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1
2 is a panel, 12a is a notch. Panel 1 of the housing
2, a U-shaped notch 12a having an upper portion opened in the direction of the panel surface is formed, and a panel engaging groove 2c provided on a side surface of the main body 2 of the optical connector with a housing is formed therein. Insert and fix. Note that the opening of the cutout 12a of the panel may be closed with a lid member if necessary after the optical connector with a housing is fitted.

Usually, the housing 1 is provided on the front side of the panel 12.
The optical tape core wire 9 to which the optical connector with the housing is attached so that the tip portion 3 of the
2 in the housing on the back side. Further, if the optical connector with a housing of the present invention is fitted and fixed to the panel 12 in this manner, since the distal end portion 3 of the housing 1 projects outside the panel 12, the main body 2 of the housing 1 can be removed. It is possible to separate and disassemble only the tip portion 3 while keeping it fixed to the panel. Therefore, when the locking portion 3b is broken,
If only the distal end portion 3 is separated and disassembled and the new distal end portion is joined to the original main body portion, use can be continued without replacing the entire housing.

Next, a method for attaching and detaching a second ferrule with an optical fiber ribbon to and from the optical connector of the present invention and a jig used for the method will be described.

FIG. 7 is a view showing an embodiment of an optical connector mounting jig according to the present invention. FIG. 7 (A) is a side view, and FIG.
7 (B) is a plan view, FIG. 7 (C) is a front view, and FIG. 7 (D) is a side view showing a state in which a second ferrule is gripped by a tip end of a leaf spring. In FIG. 7, reference numeral 10 denotes an optical tape core wire;
Is a second ferrule, 11a is a flange portion of the second ferrule 11, 21 is a trunk, 22 is a leaf spring which is an example of a holding means for mounting, 22a is a projection for pushing, and 23 is a ferrule guide which is an example of a ferrule guide means. , 24 are guide levers as an example of jig guide means, 24a is a lever grip, 24b is a lever fulcrum, and 24c is a guide portion.

A method of attaching the second ferrule to the optical connector with a housing according to the present invention using the optical connector attaching jig of FIG. 7 will be described. First, a pair of guide levers 24 of the optical connector attaching jig will be described. Pressing the lever grip 24a in a scissoring direction and rotating the lever grip 24a around the lever fulcrum 24b, the opposing guide portions 24c of the guide lever 24 are expanded to both sides to create a work space, and as shown in FIG. While the two ferrules 11 are oriented so that the optical tape core 10 side faces the tip of the leaf spring 22, a pair of opposed leaf springs 22
The second ferrule 11 is inserted between the front end portions.

At this time, the flange portion 11a, which is a part of the second ferrule 11, comes into contact with the pushing projection 22a of the leaf spring 22, and the second ferrule 11 does not go further inside the leaf spring 22. In addition, the flange portion 11a of the second ferrule 11
Is pressed and held in two directions by the pressing force of the leaf spring 22.

Further, the second ferrule 11 is held so as not to be displaced from the leaf spring 22 in the direction in which the second ferrule 11 is gripped by the leaf spring 22 and in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the second ferrule 11. A ferrule guide 23 composed of two U-shaped members is provided with a leaf spring 22 and a second ferrule 1 such that the U-shaped openings face each other.
1. Further, the ferrule guide 23 guides the leaf spring 22 and the second ferrule 11, which are gripping means for mounting, as ferrule guide means to an empty portion of the internal space of the storage body. In addition, Ferrule Guide 2
The space between the two U-shaped members 3 is a space for drawing out the jig along the optical tape core 10 attached to the second ferrule 11.

After the leaf spring 22 grips the second ferrule 11, the lever grip 24 of the pair of guide levers 24
When a is released, the guide portion 24c of the guide lever 24 returns to its original position by a spring spring (not shown). In this state, the trunk 24c of the optical connector mounting jig is grasped, and the guide portion 24c is inserted from the tip end side of the optical connector with a housing.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a guide lever in a state where the optical connector mounting jig is inserted into the distal end portion side of the optical connector with a housing. FIG. 8 (A) is a side view, and FIG.
8B is a plan view, and FIG. 8C is a front view. In FIG. 8, the same components as those in FIG. 1 or FIG. 7 indicate the same components. Reference numeral 29 denotes an optical connector with a housing. The pair of guide levers 24 are rotatably connected to the ferrule guide 23 by lever fulcrums 24b, and a guide portion 24c having a U-shaped cross section is formed at the distal end thereof, and the pair of guide portions 24c has an opening. They are arranged to face each other.

The rectangular space formed inside the pair of U-shaped guide portions 24c is large enough to accommodate the cross section of the front end of the housing of the optical connector with a housing, and is provided with an optical connector mounting jig. Is inserted from the distal end side of the optical connector with a housing, the guide portion 24c is inserted while sliding around the outer periphery of the distal end portion 3 of the optical connector 29 with the housing.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7D, the flange portion 11a of the second ferrule 11 held by the leaf spring 22 inside the distal end portion of the guide lever 24 is pushed from behind by the pushing projection 22a. Therefore, the locking portion 3b provided at the distal end portion 3 of the optical connector with a housing by the second ferrule 11
Push the interval. When the locking portion 3b spreads, the second ferrule 11 is inserted into the internal space in front of the first ferrule, and the connection between the second ferrule and the first ferrule is achieved.

When the insertion of the second ferrule is completed, the interval between the two locking portions 3b is reduced by the elastic force, so that the flange portion 11a of the second ferrule 11 behind the two locking portions 3b is locked. Is done. When the trunk 21 of the optical connector mounting jig is gripped and pulled out in this state, the second ferrule 1
The first flange 11a comes off from the leaf spring 22, the second ferrule 11 is left on the optical connector side with the housing, and only the jig is pulled out to complete the mounting of the optical connector. The optical connector mounting jig described above can be formed using a metal such as aluminum or a hard plastic.

Next, an embodiment of the optical connector detaching jig of FIG. 9 will be described. 9 (A) is a side view, FIG. 9 (B) is a plan view, FIG. 9 (C) is a front view, and FIG. 9 (D) is a side view showing a state where a second ferrule is gripped by a tip end of a leaf spring. It is. In FIG. 9, 25 is a trunk, 26 is a leaf spring which is an example of a detachable holding means, 26a and 26b are detachable protrusions, 2
7 is a ferrule guide as an example of ferrule guide means, 27a is an inclined portion for widening, 28 is a guide lever as an example of jig guide means, 28a is a lever grip, 28b
Is a lever fulcrum, and 28c is a guide portion.

The leaf spring 26 is a leaf spring 22 of the mounting jig.
And the material, size and shape are almost the same, but only the protrusion is different. The leaf spring 22 has a pushing projection 22a, whereas the leaf spring 26 has detaching projections 26a and 26b. The detachable projection 26b is provided at the tip of the leaf spring 26, and the tip is inclined. The detachable projection 26a is separated from the detachable projection 26b by the second ferrule 1.
The flange 11a of the second ferrule 11 can be gripped between the two types of protrusions as shown in FIG. 9 (D).

The ferrule guide 27 of the optical connector attaching / detaching jig is the ferrule guide 23 of the optical connector attaching jig.
And the material, size and shape are almost the same, but only the outer surface of the tip is different. The U-shaped height of the ferrule guide 23 of the optical connector mounting jig is large enough to pass between the two unlocking inclined portions at the distal end portion of the optical connector with a housing. The U-shaped height of the ferrule guide 27 of the optical connector detaching jig is larger than the U-shaped, and is small enough not to pass between the locking release inclined portions. The ferrule guide 27 has a widening inclined portion 27a on the outer peripheral surface at the end of the ferrule guide 27 for widening the interval between the locking releasing inclined portions.

As the guide lever 28, the same material, size and shape as the guide lever 24 of the mounting jig can be used.

A method of attaching and detaching the second ferrule using the optical connector attaching / detaching jig described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A is a side view, and FIG. 10B is a plan view. Grasp the trunk 25 of the optical connector detaching jig and insert the tip of the jig from the tip end side of the optical connector with a housing. Then, the guide portion 28c of the guide lever 28 is slidably inserted so as to surround the outer periphery of the front end portion of the housing.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the distal end of the ferrule guide 27 abuts on the unlocking inclined portion 3d of the distal end portion 3 of the optical connector 29 with a housing. The gap between the unlocking inclined portions 3d is increased by the provided widening inclined portions 27a.

When the interval between the unlocking inclined portions 3d is increased, the interval between the engaging portions 3b connected to the unlocking inclined portions 3d is also increased at the same time. At this time, the distal end of the leaf spring 26 serving as the detachable gripping means also reaches the second ferrule 11 inside the locking portion 3b together with the ferrule guide 27. Grasp as shown in). In this state, when the trunk 25 of the optical connector detaching jig is pulled out, the distal end portion 3 of the optical connector with a housing is removed.
Since the locking portion 3b is widened and the locked state is released, the second ferrule gripped by the leaf spring as the gripping means is pulled out together with the jig.

Thereafter, a pair of guide levers 2 shown in FIG.
8 by holding the lever grip 28a like a pair of scissors, opening a pair of guide portions 28c of the guide lever 28 to create a working space, and taking out the second ferrule 11 inside by hand. At this time, the optical fiber ribbon 10 attached to the second ferrule 11 is taken out together with the second ferrule.

FIG. 11 is a view showing an optical connector attaching / detaching jig having both functions of the optical connector attaching jig of FIG. 7 and the optical connector attaching / detaching jig of FIG.
FIG. 11A is a side view, and FIG. 11B is a plan view.
The optical connector mounting / removing jig includes a ferrule mounting jig 31 made of the same member as the optical connector mounting jig shown in FIG. Is provided with a ferrule attaching / detaching jig portion 32 made of the same member as the optical connector attaching / detaching jig of FIG.

The optical connector mounting jig, the optical connector mounting / removing jig, and the optical connector mounting / removing jig have been described above. The present invention is not limited to the one in which the flange of the second ferrule is gripped by the two leaf springs. As the mounting gripping means or the detachable gripping means, a mounting gripping means or a detachable gripping means can be provided directly on the inner wall surface of the ferrule guide, which is a ferrule guide means, without using a leaf spring.

FIG. 12 is a view showing another embodiment of the holding means for mounting. FIG. 12 (A) is a side view of a ferrule guide portion, and FIG. 12 (B) is a plan view of the ferrule guide portion. . In the case of this embodiment, a leaf spring is not provided inside the ferrule guide 23 shown in FIG. 7, and elastic rubber and molding resin are respectively provided inside the distal ends of the two U-shaped members of the ferrule guide 23. Elastic member 33 made of
With an adhesive or the like. In addition, the distal end of the elastic member 33 is inclined so that the flange of the second ferrule easily enters between the two elastic members 33. Also, the elastic member 3
3 is provided with a projection 34 for pushing hard resin or metal on the rear end side.

In this case, since the ferrule guide means and the holding gripping means are integrated, if the second ferrule is inserted between the elastic members 33, the second ferrule is pressed by the elastic pressing force of the molding resin member 33. The second ferrule can be guided to a predetermined position by the ferrule guide 23 together with the elastic member serving as the gripping means.

In addition, in the case of the optical connector detaching jig, the attaching / detaching holding means is not a leaf spring but can be an elastic member similar to the attaching holding means. In the case of the detachable gripping means, the detachable projection is not necessarily required, since the gripping with the elastic member is reliably performed even without the detachable projection.

[0063]

According to the optical connector with a housing of the present invention, the first ferrule is housed in a part of the inner space of the housing, and the empty part of the inner space in which the second ferrule can be housed at the tip side of the first ferrule. The container has a locking portion having elasticity for locking the second ferrule when the second ferrule is stored in the empty portion of the internal space at the distal end position of the housing, and the housing is separated and joined. It is composed of a possible body portion and a tip portion, and the body portion and the tip portion are joined by joining means such as claws. As a result, it is possible to easily connect to the mating ferrule without using any additional equipment such as an adapter.

Further, since the housing has the function of both the adapter and the housing, the overall size can be reduced. Furthermore, even after the optical connector with a housing is attached to the end of the optical fiber ribbon, the housing is composed of a main body portion that can be separated and joined and a tip portion. Only the tip can be replaced with a new one without having to do it. Therefore, when the locking claw for locking the second ferrule is damaged, it is easy to replace the damaged portion.

Further, since the panel engaging groove is provided on the side surface of the main body portion of the storage body, it can be fixed simply by fitting it into the notch formed in the main body portion of the panel, and the main body portion is further fixed to the panel. It is also possible to replace only the tip portion of the storage body as it is.

Since the locking release slope is provided at the distal end of the housing so as to be connected to the locking portion, the locked state of the locking portion can be released only by widening the portion.

Also, an optical connector mounting jig or an optical connector detaching jig provided with mounting gripping means or detaching gripping means, ferrule guide means and jig guiding means at the end of the trunk body is provided. Even if the optical connectors with a housing are arranged on the panel surface or the like at a high density so that no fingers can enter the vicinity, the tip of the optical connector mounting jig or the optical connector detaching jig by grasping the trunk. The second ferrule, which is the mating optical connector, can be attached or detached simply by inserting the part from the tip end side of the optical connector with a housing.

Also, the jig for mounting / removing the optical connector has a ferrule mounting jig and a ferrule mounting / removing jig at each end of the trunk body. Connectors can be attached and detached, and jigs are convenient to handle.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of components showing an embodiment of an optical connector with a housing of the present invention, wherein (A) shows components arranged outside and (B) shows components arranged inside.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded views of components showing an embodiment of the optical connector with a housing of the present invention, wherein FIG.
(B) is a side view thereof.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing details of a tip portion of a housing of the optical connector with a housing of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A is a side view, FIG. 3B is a front view, and FIG.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views showing a state where the optical connector with a housing of the present invention is assembled, wherein FIG. 4A is a plan view and FIG.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view for explaining a method of connecting the optical connector with the housing of the present invention to a mating optical connector using the optical connector.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a method of fixing the optical connector with a housing to the panel according to the present invention.

7A and 7B are diagrams showing an embodiment of the optical connector mounting jig of the present invention, wherein FIG. 7A is a side view, FIG.
(C) is a front view, and (D) is a side view showing a state in which a second ferrule is gripped by a distal end portion of a leaf spring.

8A and 8B are views showing a guide lever in a state where the optical connector mounting jig is inserted into the distal end portion side of the optical connector with a housing, wherein FIG. 8A is a side view, FIG. 8B is a plan view, and FIG. ) Is a front view.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an embodiment of the optical connector detaching jig of the present invention, wherein (A) is a side view, (B) is a plan view,
(C) is a front view, and (D) is a side view showing a state in which a second ferrule is gripped by a distal end portion of a leaf spring.

10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the widening inclined portion of the ferrule guide, wherein FIG. 10A is a side view and FIG. 10B is a plan view.

11A and 11B are diagrams showing an embodiment of an optical connector attaching / detaching jig according to the present invention, wherein FIG. 11A is a side view, and FIG.
(B) is a plan view.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are diagrams showing another embodiment of the mounting jig for use in the optical connector mounting jig and the optical connector detaching jig of the present invention, wherein FIG. 12A is a side view, and FIG. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional MPO connector.

14A and 14B are diagrams illustrating an example of an optical connector with a housing, wherein FIG. 14A is a developed plan view of components of the optical connector with a housing,
(B) is a component development side view of the optical connector with a housing.

FIG. 15 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a connection example of an assembled optical connector with a housing and a mating connector.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Storage body 2: Body portion 2a: Internal space 2b: Claw portion 2c: Panel engagement groove 2d: Spring holding engagement claw receiving groove 3: Tip portion 3a: Internal space 3b: Locking portion 3c: Claw portion 3d: Slope for unlocking 3e: Groove 4: Spring retainer 4a: Spring retainer engaging claw 5: First ferrule 6: Guide pin 7: Guide pin holding member 8: Press spring 9: Optical tape core 10: Optical tape core Line 11: second ferrule 11a: flange 21: trunk 22: leaf spring (holding means for mounting) 22a: protrusion for pushing 23: ferrule guide (ferrule guide means) 24: guide lever (jig guide means) 24a: Lever grip 24b: Lever fulcrum 24c: Guide part 25: Trunk body 26: Leaf spring (removable gripping means) 26a, 26b: Removable projection 27: Ferrule guide (ferrule guide means) 2 7a: Increasing portion for widening 28: Guide lever (jig guiding means) 28a: Lever grip 28b: Lever fulcrum 28c: Guide portion 29: Optical connector with housing

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhito Saito 1-chome, Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Mamoru Hyodo 3-9-1-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Within Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Naoki Nakao 3-19-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan Telegraph and Telephone Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2H036 JA02 QA03 QA32 QA43 QA47 QA49 QA56

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An optical connector having a housing and a first ferrule, wherein the housing comprises a main body portion and a distal end portion joined by separable joining means, and the housing body has a main body portion and a front end. An inner space provided continuously over the portion, the first ferrule is housed in the inner space on the main body part side of the housing, and a second ferrule is provided at a tip side of the first ferrule. An engaging portion having an empty portion of the internal space capable of being stored, and having an elasticity at a distal end of the distal end portion of the storage body for locking the second ferrule when the second ferrule is stored in the empty portion of the internal space. An optical connector with a housing, comprising: a stop portion; and an unlocking inclined portion that is connected to the locking portion and extends toward a tip for releasing the locking portion. 2. A gripping means for gripping said second ferrule from two directions perpendicular to the axial direction thereof, said gripping means having a pushing projection which abuts on said second ferrule, and a gripping direction of said gripping means for mounting and a second gripper. Ferrule guide means for guiding the mounting gripping means and the second ferrule to an empty portion of the internal space of the housing while holding the second ferrule so as not to be displaced in the direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the two ferrules. And a jig guide means connected to the ferrule guide means and sliding on the outer surface of the front end portion of the housing. 3. A detachable gripping means for gripping the second ferrule from two directions perpendicular to the axial direction thereof, and said detachable gripping means is provided on the side perpendicular to the gripping direction of the detachable gripping means and the axial direction of the second ferrule. Ferrule guide means for guiding the detachable gripping means to the position of the second ferrule housed in an empty portion of the internal space of the housing while holding the second ferrule so as not to be displaced; and A jig guide means which is connected and slides on the outer surface of the tip portion of the housing, wherein the tip of the ferrule guide means is in contact with an inclined portion for unlocking provided at the tip portion of the housing. An optical connector detaching jig provided with a widening slope for widening the interval between the locking release slopes. 4. A mounting gripping means having, at one end of a trunk, the second ferrule from two directions perpendicular to the axial direction thereof and a pushing projection for abutting against a flange of the second ferrule. Holding the mounting gripping means and the second ferrule in the housing while holding the second ferrule so as not to be displaced in a direction perpendicular to the gripping direction of the mounting gripping means and the axial direction of the second ferrule. A ferrule mounting jig portion comprising: a ferrule guide means for guiding an empty portion of the internal space; and a jig guide means connected to the ferrule guide means and sliding on an outer surface of the front end portion of the housing. At the other end of the body, detachable gripping means for gripping the second ferrule from two directions perpendicular to its axial direction, and a direction perpendicular to the gripping direction of the detachable gripping means and the axial direction of the second ferrule. Ferrule guide means for guiding the detachable gripping means to the position of the second ferrule stored in an empty portion of the internal space of the storage body while holding the second ferrule so as not to be displaced on the side; Jig guide means connected to the guide means and sliding on the outer surface of the tip portion of the storage body, and at the tip of the ferrule guide means, there is provided a slope for unlocking provided at the tip portion of the storage body. An optical connector attachment / detachment jig comprising: a ferrule attachment / detachment jig portion provided with a widening inclination portion for abutting and widening a gap between the locking release inclination portions.